Since owners Nick and Audra Luedde announced in January that they were teaming up with local chef talent Josh Galliano, buzz has been building about The Libertine.

The Libertine, located at 7927 Forsyth Blvd., in the old Chez Leon space, will officially join the Clayton restaurant scene on Tuesday, May 14. Described as “a reimagined neighborhood eatery that serves accessible yet ingredient-driven food,” the restaurant’s menu is divided into three categories – vegetable, meat and seafood – plus desserts. Dishes range from small bites to entree-size portions to small plates intended for sharing. The menu also features numerous house-made items, including bread, cheese, charcuterie and desserts. Like the food menu, drink options spotlight local products – whether in a handcrafted cocktail or a pint of beer – rounded out by small production and boutique wines.

When the Libertine opens, it will serve dinner daily, except Mondays, beginning at 5 p.m. Lunch service is expected to be added later this year. Reservations are accepted but are not required. They can be made by phone at 314.862.2999 or online at www.libertinestl.com.

For a sneak peek at what’s in store at The Libertine, head to our Facebook page.

Area food enthusiasts have been buzzing about Central Table Food Hall ever since plans were announced last December that the food court would be opening in the Central West End.

When Central Table Food Hall opens to the public on May 1, St. Louisans will encounter a unique market-meets-Main Street restaurant and retail destination. Similar to Eataly in New York City and Umamicatessen in Los Angeles, the 10,000-square-foot dining hall located at 23 South Euclid Ave., will offer an array of culinary experiences.

Distinct food stations will showcase a global range of from-scratch dishes that feature numerous locally sourced products. Moreover, a two-part service model (counter service during breakfast and lunch hours and full, sit-down service in the evening) will cater to the demands of on-the-run eaters as well as diners who seek a relaxing atmosphere to grab a bite. For a sneak peek of Central Table Food Hall, head to our Facebook page.

— photo by Michelle Volansky

{Grilled Steak Salad}

Friends and business partners Stephen Savage, Lou Groff and Jared Ater are opening their upscale sports bar The Wheelhouse as early as tomorrow, Thursday, April 18. The bar and restaurant, most recently occupied by The Pasta House Co., is located at 15 N. Central Ave., in Clayton.

Savage noted that one of the hardest parts about opening their new spot was deciding on a name. As to the name The Wheelhouse, Savage cited his employee handbook, which defined it as: “A popular term referring to an area of expertise or a particular skill.” For Savage, Groff and Ater, operating a bar is their wheelhouse, Savage noted, as witnessed when the three used to manage Harpo’s together, in Columbia, Mo.

In addition to 34 TVs for sports watching and a menu filled with cocktails, beer and wine, the food menu is what the owners of The Wheelhouse hope will set their bar and restaurant apart from other sports bars. The menu will be prepared by executive chef Nick Del Gaiso, who is the former sous chef at Scape. Del Gaiso attested that almost every product on The Wheelhouse’s menu, from the salad dressings to the smoked jalapeños, is made in-house. The menu features soups, salads, appetizers, wraps, burgers, sandwiches and entrees.

When doors are unlocked on April 18, The Wheelhouse will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., while the kitchen will close at 10 p.m. A Sunday brunch is also in the works.

For a sneak peek at what’s in store, head to our Facebook page.

— photo by Michelle Volansky

Empire Deli & Pizza will officially open on Monday, March 11. The East Coast-style deli, located downtown at 1131 Washington Ave., is the newest project by chef Dave Rook, his brother Michael Rook and their business partner Ryan McMillan. Whether you’re looking for a new lunch place or needing to curb a late-night craving, Empire offers plenty of hearty eats to fill a hungry belly.

For a sneak peek at what’s in store, head to our Facebook page.

{Pat Shannon-VanMatre pictured with her sons Gary (left) and Justin (right) VanMatre.}

It’s been nearly six months since The Scoop got wind of Mike Shannon’s Grill opening in Edwardsville, Ill. With construction of the sports-themed grill and lounge now complete and its opening only a couple of weeks away, we were getting hungry for a look at the new space at 871 S. Arbor Vitae (in the building next to Peel Wood Fired Pizza), and, of course, the food and drinks. When doors open at the restaurant, initial hours will be from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and 4 to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Lunch service, beginning at 11 a.m., will be added six to eight weeks after the opening.

Check back with The Scoop for an opening date announcement, and until then, stuff yourself silly with this sneak peek of Mike Shannon’s Grill on our Facebook page.

UPDATE 3.11.13: Mike Shannon’s Grill will open on Friday, March 15.

— photo by Michelle Volanksy

Mssion Taco Joint is expected to open to the public any day now. While brothers and co-owners Adam and Jason Tilford shared details about the menu a few weeks ago, we’ve been itching to see some of those words on paper become edible. Yesterday, the Tilford brothers (who also own Barrister’s, Tortillaria Mexican Kitchen and Milagro Modern Mexican) gave Sauce a taste of what customers will encounter when they order fare from St. Louis’ newest taco joint. The restaurant, located at 6235 Delmar Blvd., in The Loop, has not announced its opening date. Watch for that news to be posted in The Scoop in the next week or so. When doors do open, hours will be Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. For a sneak peek of what you’ll find at Mission Taco Joint, head on over to our Facebook page.

— Photo by Michelle Volansky

On Monday, February 25, The Market, a combination cafe and retail shop, will open at The Cheshire in Richmond Heights. The Market joins two recently opened eateries – The Restaurant and Basso – at the newly renovated structure on 7036 Clayton Ave., adjacent to the historic inn. The Market will be open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For a Sneak Peek at The Market, head on over to our Facebook page.

UPDATE 1.25.13: The Market is now scheduled to open on Thursday, February 28, not Monday, February 25 as previously stated.

— Photo by Michelle Volansky

Josh Galliano played a supporting role as chef de cuisine at the now defunct An American Place when he relocated to St. Louis from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He then took over as leading man at Monarch. Last year, with his fried chicken and gumbo pop-up restaurants, he proved he can be both actor and director. Now, with the new MX Movies opening downtown at 7th Street and Washington Avenue this week, Galliano will unveil his latest project: to write a script that unites food and film for the ultimate movie experience.

For a sneak peek at what awaits when the MX Movies box office opens to the general public this Friday, head to the Sauce Facebook page.

Robust’s new location is opening this weekend. The restaurant, wine bar and gift shop, owned by Stanley and Arlene Browne, is located at 635 Washington Ave. Robust is part of the Mercantile Exchange, a block of property located downtown between 6th and 7th Streets that includes a Pi Pizzeria, MX Movies and will soon house several more restaurants, stores and The National Blues Museum.

The Browne’s hope to have their new Robust location open for regular service as early as tomorrow night, but they suggest calling ahead at 314.287.6300.

Hours of operation will be similar to Robust’s Webster Groves location. The restaurant and wine bar will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check Robust’s website for hours for the gift shop.

From the architecture to the locally designed tabletops to the original artwork, find a sneak peek of Robust on our Facebook page.

— photos by Michelle Volanksy

Elaia and Olio are opening in early November. The restaurant and wine bar, located at 1634 Tower Grove Ave., at the intersection of McRee Ave., have been highly anticipated for a number of reasons. Both are projects by well-respected chef-proprietor Ben Poremba, co-owner of Salume Beddu. Poremba has nabbed talented advanced sommelier Andrey Ivanov from 33 Wine Bar, knighted him GM and handed him the reins to work his wine magic. Another reason we’re watching Elaia and Olio? The adjoining venues – both located in historic buildings (a nearly century-old home and a former gas station) – may well be key components for urban renewal in the once blighted McRee Town neighborhood now known as Botanical Heights, particularly as Elaia and Olio will soon be joined by patisserie Chouquette, right across the street.

Olio will quietly open to the public this Friday, November 2, followed by Elaia on Sunday, November 11. When regular hours of operation commence on Tuesday, November 13, doors will be open at Elaia Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 10 p.m.; and at Olio Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.

For an inside look at Elaia and Olio, visit our Facebook page.

— Photos by Michelle Volansky